A NEW MANGROVE ASSOCIATED SPECIES RECORD (CONOCARPUS L. -COMBRETACEAE) FROM TAMIL NADU

Abstract:         The genus Conocarpus L., (Combrataceae) a naturalized mangrove genus of India, is reported as an addition to the flora of Tamil Nadu. The species Conocarpus erectus L., was  known to occur in Western Africa, Tropical and Subtropical America. A detailed description along with details on habitat, distribution and photographs and related genus key is provided here

Genetic diversity and relationships of selected Polygonum species using RAPD analysis

The genetic diversity of the selected Polygonum species namely P. chinense L., P. molle D. Don, P. glabrum Willd., P. barbatum L., P. fagopyrum Moench. P.hydropiper, P.nepalances, was analyzed using RAPD markers

Pollen morphology of the genus Impatiens L. (Balsaminaceae) and its systematic implications

Pollen morphology of 18 species from the genus Impatiens collected from diff erent localities in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during the period of February 2017 to November 2019. From the observation of pollen it was found to be structurally monad; prolate, sub-prolate and prolate-spheroidal in equatorial view; and circular, rectangular, triangular, quinquangular, elliptic and quadrangular in polar view. The apertures varied from dicolpate, tricolpate to tetracolpate. The main ornamentation type was reticulate in most of the species except Impatiens fruticosa which showed echinate ornamentation. The variations in pollen structure within the species were useful for the identifi cation and classifi cation of the genus Impatiens. The high structural diversity renders important taxonomic value for species differentiation

Inventory and ethnomedicinal plants used by rural people of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

The present study is aimed at documenting the phytodiversity and indigenous knowledge of the tribal people in the regions of Eastern Ghats. Sivanmalai, the pride of Eastern Ghats, the gem of Tamil Nadu, otherwise known as Sivachalam, Sivathri is a diversity rich region. Documentation of the richness and distribution of species diversity are helpful in developing a better plans for management and conservation of tropical forest. A total of 107 plant species were collected, which includes 46 medicinal species belonging to 41 genus of 24 families. Some of the plants are used to cure various ailments viz, Cancer, Leprosy, etc., and the frequently used medicinal plants includes Acacia leucopholea (Roxb.) Willd., Andrographis echioides Nees, etc., the predominant mode of medicinal preparation used in the study area is grinding the plant part into paste. The global clamour for highly potential medicinal plants creates opportunities for the local and rural people to export medicinal species of the Eastern Ghats. The conclusion  of the study invocate the importance of trans- disciplinary researches which helps in the conservation of phytodiversity and the invaluable traditional knowledge.Â

TOXICOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOR ANALYSES OF A FOLIOSE LICHEN PARMOTREMA TINCTORUM (DELISE EX NYL.) HALE EXTRACT USING ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO) MODEL

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the toxicity and behavior analysis with the extract of foliose lichen Parmotrema tinctorum against the adult zebrafish. Methods: The zebrafishes were exposed to different concentrations of P. tinctorum extract such as 50, 100, and 200 mg/ml for 7 days of exposure, in which the mortality and behavioral responses of zebrafishes were recorded. The standard histopathological examination was conducted with the lichen extracts of P. tinctorum. Results: The results revealed that P. tinctorum extract did not show any prominent behavior abnormalities in zebrafishes even at a high concentration of 200 mg/ml. The extract was found to have dose-dependent toxic to zebrafish and the number of neutrophil cells in the muscle bundles reduced at a high concentration. The results of the inflammatory marker gene expression using polymerase chain reaction results suggested that the dose-dependent suppression of tumor necrosis factor gene by the P. tinctorum lichen extract. Conclusion: Overall, concluded that the extract might contain anti-inflammatory induction properties and further tests are required to prove apoptosis and anticancer activity using other in vivo or in vitro techniques

Comprehensive \u3ci\u3ein vitro\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3ein vivo\u3c/i\u3e evaluation of therapeutic potential of Bacopa-derived asiatic acid against a human oral pathogen \u3ci\u3eStreptococcus mutans\u3c/i\u3e

Dental caries is a common human oral disease worldwide, caused by an acid-producing bacteria Streptococcus mutans. The use of synthetic drugs and antibiotics to prevent dental caries has been increasing, but this can lead to severe side effects. To solve this issue, developing and developed countries have resorted to herbal medicines as an alternative to synthetic drugs for the treatment and prevention of dental caries. Therefore, there is an urgent need for plant-derived products to treat such diseases. Bacopa monnieri, a well-documented medicinal plant, contains 52 phytocompounds, including the pentacyclic triterpenoid metabolite known as asiatic acid (ASTA). Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the antibacterial activity of phytocompound ASTA against S. mutans. The findings revealed that ASTA significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and the production of virulence factors such as acidurity, acidogenicity, and eDNA synthesis. Molecular docking analysis evaluated the potential activity of ASTA against S. mutans virulence genes, including VicR and GtfC. Furthermore, toxicity assessment of ASTA in human buccal epithelial cells was performed, and no morphological changes were observed. An in vivo analysis using Danio rerio (zebrafish) confirmed that the ASTA treatment significantly increased the survival rates of infected fish by hindering the intestinal colonization of S. mutans. Furthermore, the disease protection potential of ASTA against the pathognomonic symptom of S. mutans infection was proven by the histopathological examination of the gills, gut, and kidney. Overall, these findings suggest that ASTAmay be a promising therapeutic and alternative drug for the treatment and prevention of oral infection imposed by S. mutans

Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluation of therapeutic potential of Bacopa-derived asiatic acid against a human oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans

Dental caries is a common human oral disease worldwide, caused by an acid-producing bacteria Streptococcus mutans. The use of synthetic drugs and antibiotics to prevent dental caries has been increasing, but this can lead to severe side effects. To solve this issue, developing and developed countries have resorted to herbal medicines as an alternative to synthetic drugs for the treatment and prevention of dental caries. Therefore, there is an urgent need for plant-derived products to treat such diseases. Bacopa monnieri, a well-documented medicinal plant, contains 52 phytocompounds, including the pentacyclic triterpenoid metabolite known as asiatic acid (ASTA). Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the antibacterial activity of phytocompound ASTA against S. mutans. The findings revealed that ASTA significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and the production of virulence factors such as acidurity, acidogenicity, and eDNA synthesis. Molecular docking analysis evaluated the potential activity of ASTA against S. mutans virulence genes, including VicR and GtfC. Furthermore, toxicity assessment of ASTA in human buccal epithelial cells was performed, and no morphological changes were observed. An in vivo analysis using Danio rerio (zebrafish) confirmed that the ASTA treatment significantly increased the survival rates of infected fish by hindering the intestinal colonization of S. mutans. Furthermore, the disease protection potential of ASTA against the pathognomonic symptom of S. mutans infection was proven by the histopathological examination of the gills, gut, and kidney. Overall, these findings suggest that ASTA may be a promising therapeutic and alternative drug for the treatment and prevention of oral infection imposed by S. mutans

Insecticidal activity of a novel fatty acid amide derivative from Streptomyces species against Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera, an important pest causes serious damage to grain legumes. The main objective of this study was to isolate and identify the metabolite against H. armigera from a previously characterised Streptomyces sp. CAI-155. The culture filtrate of CAI- 155 was extracted using Diaion HP-20 and the active fractions were fractionated on Silica and C18 column chromatography. The C18 active fraction was further fractionated on Silica gel 60 F254 thin layer chromatography (TLC). The most active fraction (Rf 0.64) purified from TLC led to the identification of a novel metabolite N-(1-(2,2-dimethyl- 5-undecyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl)stearamide by spectral studies. The purified metabolite showed 70–78% mortality in 2nd instar H. armigera by diet impregnation assay, detached leaf assay and greenhouse assay. The LD50 and LD90 values of the purified metabolite were 627 and 2276 ppm, respectively. Hence, this novel metabolite can be exploited for pest management in future

Network pharmacology: an efficient but underutilized approach in oral, head and neck cancer therapy—a review

The application of network pharmacology (NP) has advanced our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying diseases, including neck, head, and oral cancers, as well as thyroid carcinoma. This review aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of natural network pharmacology using compounds and traditional Chinese medicines for combating these malignancies. NP serves as a pivotal tool that provides a comprehensive view of the interactions among compounds, genes, and diseases, thereby contributing to the advancement of disease treatment and management. In parallel, this review discusses the significance of publicly accessible databases in the identification of oral, head, and neck cancer-specific genes. These databases, including those for head and neck oral cancer, head and neck cancer, oral cancer, and genomic variants of oral cancer, offer valuable insights into the genes, miRNAs, drugs, and genetic variations associated with these cancers. They serve as indispensable resources for researchers, clinicians, and drug developers, contributing to the pursuit of precision medicine and improved treatment of these challenging malignancies. In summary, advancements in NP could improve the globalization and modernization of traditional medicines and prognostic targets as well as aid in the development of innovative drugs. Furthermore, this review will be an eye-opener for researchers working on drug development from traditional medicines by applying NP approaches

Predictors of mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and risk score formulation for prioritizing tertiary care—An experience from South India

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively data-mined the case records of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized to a tertiary care centre to derive mortality predictors and formulate a risk score, for prioritizing admission. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data on clinical manifestations, comorbidities, vital signs, and basic lab investigations collected as part of routine medical management at admission to a COVID-19 tertiary care centre in Chengalpattu, South India between May and November 2020 were retrospectively analysed to ascertain predictors of mortality in the univariate analysis using their relative difference in distribution among ‘survivors’ and ‘non-survivors’. The regression coefficients of those factors remaining significant in the multivariable logistic regression were utilised for risk score formulation and validated in 1000 bootstrap datasets. Among 746 COVID-19 patients hospitalised [487 “survivors” and 259 “non-survivors” (deaths)], there was a slight male predilection [62.5%, (466/746)], with a higher mortality rate observed among 40–70 years age group [59.1%, (441/746)] and highest among diabetic patients with elevated urea levels [65.4% (68/104)]. The adjusted odds ratios of factors [OR (95% CI)] significant in the multivariable logistic regression were SaO(2)3; 3.01 (1.61–5.83), Age ≥50 years;2.52 (1.45–4.43), Pulse Rate ≥100/min: 2.02 (1.19–3.47) and coexisting Diabetes Mellitus; 1.73 (1.02–2.95) with hypertension and gender not retaining their significance. The individual risk scores for SaO(2)3–11, Age ≥50 years-9, Pulse Rate ≥100/min-7 and coexisting diabetes mellitus-6, acronymed collectively as ‘OUR-ARDs score’ showed that the sum of scores ≥ 25 predicted mortality with a sensitivity-90%, specificity-64% and AUC of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: The ‘OUR ARDs’ risk score, derived from easily assessable factors predicting mortality, offered a tangible solution for prioritizing admission to COVID-19 tertiary care centre, that enhanced patient care but without unduly straining the health system